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A multitude of demonstrators opposing Madagascar's head of state were joined on the avenues of the main city on the afternoon of Saturday by troops from an specialized army unit, who that morning said they would not open fire on protesters.

Marching Alongside Heavy Transports

Protesters marched together with troops from the Capsat unit, who operated heavy vehicles, some waving national flags, from their base in Soanierana in the southern district of Antananarivo.

Appealing to the Masses

A Capsat leader, Lylison René de Rolland, then appealed to the enthusiastic masses in front of the city hall in 13 May Square, which activists had before been blocked from accessing. Capsat soldiers brought the present president, Andry Rajoelina, to authority in a coup in 2009.

Escalating Strain on the President

The troops' participation increased tension on Rajoelina, who demonstrators have been demanding step aside. The student-led rallies commenced on 25 September, originally over service disruptions. However, they swiftly expanded into calls for a complete reform of the governance structure, with the gen Z demonstrators not placated by Rajoelina firing his cabinet last week.

Law Enforcement Response

That morning, security forces deployed stun grenades and riot control agents to try to disperse the protesters. The recently appointed defense minister also appealed to troops to "keep peaceful", at a media briefing on Saturday.

"We call on our brothers who disagree with us to prioritise communication," minister general Deramasinjaka Manantsoa Rakotoarivelo declared. "The Malagasy army remains a mediator and forms the state's final safeguard."

Military Resistance

However, a Capsat officer accompanied by a sizable contingent of military personnel appealed to other troop formations to "reject directives to attack your friends", in a recording that was shared on social media before they left their base.

"We should unite, army, security forces and police, and reject payment to shoot our comrades, our comrades and our sisters," he declared, also calling on military personnel at the airfield to "block all aircraft from taking off".

"Shut the access points and expect our instructions," he declared. "Do not obey directives from your officers. Point your firearms at those who instruct you to attack your comrades-in-arms, because they will not take care of our loved ones if we perish."

President's Lack of Response

Nothing has been published on the leader's online profiles since the evening of Friday, when he was seen conferring with the leaders of 10 of the state's higher education institutions to address improving educational conditions.

Protester Concerns

An demonstrator who participated in Saturday's protests said she was worried about the participation of Capsat, due to their part in the 2009 takeover that brought Rajoelina to leadership. She also denounced government officials who made brief statements to the gathering in front of the town hall as "opportunists".

"That's why I'm not celebrating at all, because all of those individuals circling this 'development' are all concerning," commented the protester, who declined to give her name for concern for her safety.

Young Generation Perspective

A representative of Gen Z Madagascar, a decentralized organization of students that has assisted in organizing the protests, also raised questions about what would occur subsequently. "We are very happy, but a lot is happening [and] we don't want another corrupted person to assume control here, so we will take all measures to have the privilege to choose who to put up there," he said.